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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
  • "diplomatic delivery"
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "the consignment" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
  • "diplomatic delivery" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "liberia" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: Gideon Kerkula <george_w_2003@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <gideon.kelvin_kerkula@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 29 Nov 2007 22:40:57 +0000
Subject: SOLICITING YOUR ASSISTANCE



Dear Friend, Greetings to you.I am Kevin Gideon Kerkula from Liberia.I am contacting you in regards to my consignment which is right now in your country with a senior United nations high commission diplomaticdelivery man.
This box contains (20million USD) which i want you to assist me to receive in your country.It left the custody of a renowned security company in your country international Airport under unitednations.They are in charge of the shippment in Accra Ghana.I want to inform you that this consignment has been in yourcountry for some days now.
I have already paid partly sum of $6,500 for the handlng chargesand for everything So all you need to do is for you to callthe diplomat immediately so he can make delivery to you.I amoffering 20% of the total sum to you for any assistancerendered.
Please endavour to contact me with my alternative email: gideon.kelvin_kerkula@hotmail.comThe name of the diplomatic delivery man in charge of thedelivery of my consignment will be forwarded to you as soon as i hear from you Please get in touch with me and send me your full contact information so that the consignment will be delivered to your doorstep as soon as possible.
I wait to hear from you with all your contact information.Truly,
Kevin Gideon Kerkula
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam